Progresja S.A. intends to contribute to the development of the space sector in Poland. The activity of Progresja S.A. within the space sector commenced with a grant of the Polish Space Agency for advisory services for the Polish space Industry in 2016. Over the last two years Progresja S.A. has successfully submitted three proposals to the EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY within PLIIS. Two of them concern Additive Manufacturing, the third one concerns an ecological and reusable propulsion system.
In the last two years Progresja S.A. has successfully submitted three proposals to ESA within PLIIS. Two of them concern Additive Manufacturing, the third one concerns an ecological and reusable propulsion system.
- Study on Additive Manufacturing of metal parts in simulated space conditions
- Structural optimization for Additive Manufacturing of impact loaded metal parts & optoelectronic housings
- Green, Reusable Energetic Device technology demonstrator for space propulsion and spacecraft support systems based on catalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide
PROGRESJA S.A. cooperates with major national scientific entities (such as the Silesian University of Technology, the AGH University of Science and Technology) and research institutes (amongst others, the Institute of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies, the Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences) as well as academic organizations (AGH Space Systems, specializing in rocket propulsion). Mutual efforts resulted in many concepts in areas such as green propellants, thrusters and spacecraft propulsion, hybrid propulsion and small rocket engines with innovative technologies like 3D printed combustion chambers or electrically powered feed system pumps. One of most recent research subjects focuses on the use of nitrous oxide as a storable, catalytically decomposable propellant in spacecraft propulsion in place of hydrazine.
The goal of the project is to investigate the possibilities for the application of laser additive manufacturing of metal parts with consumable feeding in the form of a wire, powder and metallic paste in simulated space conditions, to determine their possibilities and technological limitations, and to determine the scope of application of each technique.
The primary objective of the project is to optimize the topology and additive manufacturing (AM) in the SLS/SLM technology of selected details used in space devices. The optimization aims to use the unique potential of AM in metal. The objective of the optimization will be to reduce the weight of the details by applying appropriate printing structures while maintaining and/or enhancing their required mechanical and functional properties. The coefficient of restitution (COR) of elements manufactured using the SLS/SLM (Selective Laser Sintering/Melting) technology and manufactured conventionally will be compared. In addition, the conducted tests of metal outgassing under high vacuum conditions will allow to determine the suitability of components manufactured with additive technologies for use on contamination-sensitive elements of optoelectronic systems. The tests will determine the mechanical properties of various metal alloys and structures manufactured using AM.
The goal of the project is to research and develop a dedicated, supported, heterogeneous catalyst for the nitrous oxide (N2O) decomposition process:
- The catalyst is to be integrated into the Energetic Device (ED), which is key hardware that secures controlled decomposition.
- Multi-purpose application of the Energetic Device is to be demonstrated. This shall be done by:
- incorporating the ED into a monopropellant thruster, in which ED shall play the role of an igniter
- demonstrating the applicability of the ED for spacecraft support systems, in which the ED shall play the role of a heat and atmosphere generator